City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH ARUP FOR PHASE II OF
THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(NYSERDA) PROJECT
Whereas, in correspondence dated February 3, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Planning & Community Development formally requested authorization for the Mayor to execute a Professional Services Agreement with ARUP for the City’s participation in Phase II of the NYSERDA-funded climate resilience and urban heat mitigation project, together with such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon has undertaken ongoing efforts to modernize its zoning ordinance, strengthen environmental sustainability initiatives, and advance climate resilience planning consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan; and
Whereas, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) sponsors and funds programs designed to support municipalities in implementing climate-responsive planning, environmental equity, and sustainable land use strategies; and
Whereas, the City Council previously authorized the Mayor to execute a Letter of Commitment with ARUP, an international environmental and engineering consulting firm, in support of ARUP’s submission to NYSERDA for Phase I of a climate resilience and urban heat mitigation initiative; and
Whereas, ARUP has subsequently been selected by NYSERDA to advance the initiative into Phase II, which focuses on implementation-oriented planning, policy integration, and the development of actionable climate resilience strategies; and
Whereas, Phase II of the project will support the City of Mount Vernon in refining and applying urban heat and environmental data, evaluating zoning and development standards through a climate resilience lens, and developing practical policy tools to be incorporated into the City’s zoning ordinance update; and
Whereas, the project will provide the City with advanced technical expertise, planning resources, and policy guidance that will strengthen local decision-making capacity, public health protections, environmental equity initiatives, and climate mitigation efforts; and
Whereas, participation in the project will further position the City of Mount Vernon as a leader among municipalities undertaking innovative climate resilience and zoning modernization initiatives throughout New York State; and
Whereas, the proposed Professional Services Agreement with ARUP requires no direct cash expenditure by the City of Mount Vernon, and the City’s contribution shall consist solely of in-kind services provided through staff time from the Department of Planning and Community Development related to work already underway on the zoning ordinance update; and
Whereas, the estimated value of the City’s in-kind contribution is approximately Seventy-Four Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($74,700.00), which shall be credited toward the overall project budget submitted by ARUP to NYSERDA; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that authorizing the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Agreement with ARUP is in the best interests of the City of Mount Vernon and its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization to Execute Agreement. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized and directed to execute a Professional Services Agreement with ARUP for the City’s participation in Phase II of the NYSERDA-funded climate resilience and urban heat mitigation project, together with such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 2. Scope and Purpose. The Professional Services Agreement shall provide for collaboration between ARUP and the City of Mount Vernon, including the Department of Planning and Community Development, for the purpose of advancing implementation-oriented climate resilience planning, integrating urban heat mitigation strategies into land use and zoning policies, and supporting the City’s ongoing zoning ordinance modernization efforts.
Section 3. CITY CONTRIBUTION
The City’s participation in the project shall be satisfied through an in-kind contribution consisting of staff time and related planning services provided by the Department of Planning and Community Development.
The estimated value of such in-kind contribution shall be approximately Seventy-Four Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($74,700.00), with no direct cash expenditure required from the City.
Section 4. Administrative Authority. The Mayor, Corporation Counsel, Commissioner of Planning and Community Development, Comptroller, and any other appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to take all actions necessary and proper to carry out the intent and purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 5. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.